Microsoft Word has a feature that a lot of us don’t use in the name of saving time. However, clicking on the Font Styles to format your document can actually save you time in the long run.

If Font Styles are new to you, here are the basics. Styles allows you to quickly change font attributes in a way that matches the colors and design of your document. You can find the styles on the Home tab.

Styles menu

Highlight the text you want to change and then hover over one of the options in the Style menu. You will see a preview of how the text will look when the Style is applied.

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One benefit of utilizing the Styles options is in document navigation. Using the Headings options will place invisible markers throughout your document. You can see where they are in the Navigation Pane. (Activate the Navigation Pane on the View ribbon. Locate the Show group, and then check the box next to Navigation Pane.

The Navigation Pane, left, uses the Heading Styles to create a “map” of your document. This can allow you to easily find information.

Clicking on words in the Navigation Pane will take you to that section of your document.

Every time you begin a new Word document, you do it:  You change the font style, size, color … something.  You’re not keen on Calibri, so you switch it up to Arial, Verdana, or something else.

How would you like to begin typing in your preferred font every time you work in Word?

Here is what you need to do to change the default font in Microsoft Word:

1. Open Word, and begin a blank document.
2. Click on the lower right corner of the Font section of the Home ribbon.
3. A window will open, where you can choose your desired default font settings.
4. Click Set As Default.
5. Choose the radio button next to All documents based on the Normal template.
6. Click OK

Your documents will now have a default font you selected!

Creating documents with a consistent look and feel is simple when using style sets. But you’re not limited to the built-in sets! In a few quick steps, you can create your own custom style sets to use in future documents.

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The Find and Replace feature comes in quite handy when making quick and/or bulk edits to the text of a Microsoft Word document. But, did you know you could use it to make formatting and style changes as well?

Watch as we show you how to use Replace to change multiple selections from Heading 1 style to Heading 2. In this example, we are changing one at at time, but if you’re confident about making a change to ALL instances of your Find criteria, you could also use Replace All.

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Overview

• Styles vs. Formatting
• Using Templates
• Paste Options
• Updating Table of Contents

Styles vs. Formatting

What is Formatting?

Formatting is changing the font, size, color, etc. for a one time use. To duplicate this look for other text in your document, you need to repeat each format step.

What are Styles?

Styles come in handy when you plan to use the same format or look throughout a document. For example, when creating an outline you may opt for a each heading to be bold and italicized. A style will allow you to repeat this action each time with just one click.

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